[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Design & Art at DDP Through Sept. 8, artists will adorn Dongdaemun Design Plaza with their works, lighting up the Seoul landmark during the annual DDP Design & Art festival. Artists whose works will be on display include Kim Whan-ki, a pioneer of abstract art in Korea, and Felice Varini, a Paris-based Swiss visual artist who paints in urban spaces. The UK-based art and design collective Studio Vertigo will exhibit a giant heart-shaped installation made with more than 11,000 mirrored

TravelSept. 6, 2024

[Eye interview] 'Imagining the possibilities gets me excited'

    What if you were given carte blanche to do anything that you desire? While that may be a dream come true for most, architect Cho Min-suk said, “I refuse to do that project.” A leading Korean architect and winner of several awards including the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2014, Cho was offered just such an opportunity 10 years ago. “Someone with means said, ‘You just make a pure, beautiful place,’” recalled Cho during an int

CultureSept. 5, 2024

Suh Se-ok's pioneering spirit revived through LG OLEDs

The work of Suh Se-ok, a late pioneer of modern Korean ink painting, has been re-created as media art for the third edition of Frieze Seoul in the LG OLED lounge. The re-creation was made possible through collaboration between LG OLED and the late artist's two sons: artist Suh Do-ho and architect Suh Eul-ho. The exhibition “Suh Se Ok X LG OLED: Reimagined by Suh Do Ho, Shaped by Suh Eul Ho” -- which is on view during Frieze Seoul at Coex until Saturday -- shows media works in th

Arts & DesignSept. 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] LG's Kate Oh's perseverance pays off with digital canvas

It takes time when you are striving to change people’s long-standing perceptions. Kate Oh, vice president of the Brand Communication Division at LG Home Entertainment Company, is starting to see progress after years of trying to redefine art with OLED TVs. LG OLED has collaborated with over 30 globally established artists since 2021, including Anish Kapoor, Barry X Ball, Damien Hirst, Sir John Akomfrah, Kevin McCoy, Kim Whan-ki and Suh Se-ok. LG OLED joined Frieze Seoul as the official hea

Arts & DesignSept. 5, 2024

[Exclusive] Old Korean Legation building could get historic listing Monday

The decision on whether to designate the Old Korean Legation building in Washington, DC a US historic place worthy of preservation will be made Monday, and it would be “very uncommon” to see the US National Park Service reject the proposed designation, sources confirmed to The Korea Herald. “Action will be taken on this nomination on Sept. 9,” a National Park Service official with direct knowledge of the matter said, referring to the application filed by the DC Historic P

CultureSept. 5, 2024

[Off the Pages] 'Underground' blends sound and darkness in immersive audio experience

The immersive theater experience “Underground” transports audiences into an entirely new dimension of sensory storytelling -- a captivating, pitch-dark descent into the unknown. Based on acclaimed Korean science fiction author Kim Bo-young's short story “Underground” (featured in her collection “The Fifth Sense” in 2022), the Wooran Foundation’s production plunges viewers deep into a labyrinthine underground set in a dystopian future. “Undergr

BooksSept. 4, 2024

Frieze, Kiaf Seoul starts off on cautious mode

Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul kicked off Wednesday at Coex in southern Seoul with VIP openings for their third collaboration, bringing a festive mood to the city, albeit in a cautious mode amid concerns of a slowdown in the art market. Some 110 galleries are participating in Frieze Seoul, while 206 are represented at Kiaf Seoul. Frieze Seoul runs through Saturday at Halls C and D while Kiaf Seoul will continue through Sunday at Halls A, B and the Grand Ballroom. A single ticket offers admission to

Arts & DesignSept. 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] Classic Revolution with flair

For the upcoming Classic Revolution musical festival, five conductors will showcase the distinctive strengths and styles of their orchestras, including the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Incheon Philharmonic, Suwon Philharmonic and Gyeonggi Philharmonic. The festival, organized by the Lotte Foundation for Arts, has shifted its schedule from mid-summer to take place from Saturday to Wednesday this year. In line with this change, the festival's focus has shifted from individual composers to high

CultureSept. 4, 2024

First Korean Confucian Culture Expo launched

The Korean Confucian Culture Expo began its five-day run Wednesday in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, bringing Confucianism closer to the public with interactive programs. The expo marks the first-ever nationwide event by the Institute of Korean Confucian Culture since it opened in 2022. Key programs, scheduled from Friday to Sunday, will engage audiences of all ages, from the K-Confucianism English Speech Contest for youngsters to the K-Confucianism International Forum for those older and i

Arts & DesignSept. 4, 2024

Adaptation of Dutch best-seller ‘A Normal Family’ highlights ‘Korean’ elements

Dutch author Herman Koch’s best-seller novel “The Dinner,” which has been adapted into films around the world three times already, becomes “A Normal Family” in the hands of director Hur Jin-ho, who said he has highlighted “Korean elements.” Hur, the director behind the country’s legendary 1998 romance flick “Christmas in August,” marks his return to the silver screen with the adaption. His latest work was the JTBC series “Lost&rdq

FilmSept. 4, 2024

'The Devil's Plan Season 2' to return bigger with games devised by fans

Jung Jong-yeon, producer of the hit Netflix survival game series "The Devil's Plan," said the series' second season has been upgraded to showcase an intricately designed filming set, alongside games created by some of his most dedicated fans. In its first season, "The Devil's Plan" brought together 12 contestants, including actors, doctors and YouTubers, to compete in a battle of wit and strategy. Upon its release in September 2023, the show quickly gained glob

TelevisionSept. 4, 2024

Seoul Fashion Week’s first day heavy on contrasts, harmonies

Seoul Fashion Week returned Tuesday, with contrasts and harmonies taking center stage on the runway where 21 brands are expected to present their spring-summer 2025 collections over the next five days. First off was Youser, a unisex brand launched in 2011 that prides itself on blurring the boundary between deconstruction and minimalism. The result was a relaxed silhouette highlighted by pleats and tucks, which render the collection playful and three-dimensional, according to designer Lee Moo-yeo

Arts & DesignSept. 4, 2024

Gyeongbokgung to resume opening at night

Gyeongbokgung, the main palace of the Joseon era (1392-1910) in central Seoul, will again open for nighttime visitors from Sept. 9. While the palace allows visits until 6:30 p.m. for ordinary tickets, those with nighttime tickets can tour selected parts of the palace between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., according to the Korea Heritage Service’s announcement Monday. The nighttime tour zone includes Heungryemun, Geunjeongjeon and Sajeongjeon, where major royal events took place during the Joseon er

TravelSept. 3, 2024

Netflix Korean period film ‘Uprising’ to open 29th BIFF

Netflix original Korean period film “Uprising” will open the 29th Busan International Film Festival on Oct. 2, the first time for a streaming platform movie to open Asia’s largest film festival. “Uprising,” directed by Kim Sang-man (“Midnight FM”), gained attention as award-winning director Park Chan-wook’s first-ever project with Netflix. Park has participated as a co-screenwriter and producer. The period film stars Gang Dong-won, in the role of C

FilmSept. 3, 2024

After criticism for mid-summer closures, Seoul extends public pool season for 2025

Public swimming pools along the Han River closed in the middle of heat waves this summer, even as the scorching temperatures persisted till the end of August. Next year, the outdoor pools will remain open till the end of August, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday. “We will do our best to prepare so that more people can enjoy swimming in the Han River pools throughout the summer next year,” said Joo Young-tae, an official with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. In 202

TravelSept. 3, 2024

Writers from Canada, US win Nomo awards celebrating Korean diaspora

Three winners of the Nomo Literary Award were announced by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea on Monday. In the fiction category, Song Ji-young from Canada won for “Assembled Life,” which explores the linguistic, cultural and economic struggles of immigrants, likened to the challenges of assembling furniture. In the poetry category, Lee Won-jung from the US was recognized for “Telescope for Cherry Tomatoes” and four other poems, praised for the skill in poetica

BooksSept. 3, 2024

'River and Liver' sets stage for surrealism in Seoul

The National Theater Company of Korea is set to stage the surrealist "River and Liver" from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19 at the Myeongdong Theater in Seoul. Written by Dong I-hyang, the play won the 14th Cha Beom-seok Award in 2020. The script was recognized for its rhythmic, ping-pong-like dialogue, fragmented scenes and surreal situations. The story centers on L, a middle-aged woman living in an old home overlooking the Han River with her husband, O. Her life takes a bizarre turn as strange o

PerformanceSept. 3, 2024

Hansae Yes24 Foundation kicks off music initiative with baritone Benjamin Appl

After focusing on Southeast Asia’s literature and arts as well as supporting students for 10 years, the Hansae Yes24 Foundation announced it is expanding its scope to classical music, the German lied in particular. For the inaugural concert, "Winterreise in Summer," the foundation presents German baritone Benjamin Appl, who will perform Schubert’s "Winterreise" D. 911, a song cycle set to 24 poems by German poet Wilhelm Muller. The 42-year-old vocalist said that

CultureSept. 3, 2024

As MCM gets functional, designer focuses on story

Lasting designs communicate a story behind objects that is unexpected but familiar on second look, said Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari, founders of the design studio Atelier Biagetti, ahead of presenting their collection at MCM Haus in Seoul. The exhibition “MCM Wearable Casa Collection,” first shown during Milan Design Week in April and now on show at MCM Haus in Seoul, features seven pieces of furniture that double as clothing and accessories by designer Biagetti and artist

Arts & DesignSept. 3, 2024

Yoo Ah-in sentenced to one year in prison for drug abuse

Actor Yoo Ah-in was sentenced to one year in prison by the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday for repeated drug use. The court ordered Yoo's immediate detention after handing down the sentence, which included a one-year prison term, a 2 million won fine ($1,489) and a surcharge of 1.54 million won. Yoo was ordered to pay a surcharge for the value of items obtained illegally. "Prescription narcotics, like propofol, are tightly controlled because of their potential for dependence an

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024